Earth ScienceFull Name (printed) ______

Mr. NyerickBlock ______

Pomperaug High SchoolDate ______

The Cryosphere and Glacier Web Quest

Background information: This web quest will be used to continue our study of glaciers and their affects on man. Answer in brief but complete sentences.

Begin your quest at .

1.What does NSIDC stand for? What is its mission? Hint: click “About” in the upper right page to find the mission. What university does NSIDC operate out of?

2.What is the Cryosphere and what is the current state of the Cryosphere?

3.How does snow influence the weather and climate? See the following page in the section on Northern Hemisphere Snow. What has satellite data confirmed?

It’s now time to begin some more detailed investigation about glacier specifics. Use the following link and then click on the “Glacier story”.

4.Where are most of today’s glaciers found? Also, are glaciers found on each of earth’s continents?

5.What are the specific climatic conditions that glaciers need in order to grow?

6.What are the 2 types of glaciers?

7.Explain the process whereby a glacier can begin to move. Hint: Click on “Growing Years” to help answer this question. Also, define the following: “ablation” “crevasses”.

8.Explain what “in retreat” means related to glacier movement. Why does this happen and what does the resulting landscape look like?

9.Use the following “All about Glacier” page to answer the following question. Do all glaciers move slowly?

Use the following quick facts page in order to questions 11-17:

10.What state in the United States has the most glaciers?

11.How much of the worlds freshwater are stored in glaciers?

12. How thick in miles is the Antarctic ice sheet? Hint: Convert meters to kilometers and then multiply by 0.62.

13. How much freshwater is supplied to the state of Washington each summer from glacier melt?

14. What is the significance of “blue” glacial ice.

15. Provide an example of a fast moving glacial surge.

16. Use the following Q and A page to answer this question. Are glaciers dangerous?

Using the following web page. Answer the following questions concerning Glacier National Park, Montana.

17. How many glaciers have disappeared from Glacier National Park since 1850?

18. Why is Glacier National Park a good barometer of climate change?

19. Summarize what the experts are saying about Arctic warming and change in hurricanes being linked to global warming. See this link: